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Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Michael "Mo" Schmidt, 39, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2016.

According
to this GoFundMe page
set up by his uncle, Schmidt had been sick since Thanksgiving 2015, but was misdiagnosed for almost a year. At this time there is no known cure for this disease, but its progression can be slowed.

So far, family and friends have raised nearly $45,000 of their $150,000 GoFundMe goal to help defray some of Schmidt's medical costs.

Schmidt has been a Putnam County Sheriff's deputy for aobut 10 years. During his career, he has served as the Youth and Adult Officer for Putnam County. Prior to becoming a deputy he worked three years as a civilian dispatcher for the Town of Carmel Police Department.

"Michael has been well respected throughout his public service career and has received many letters of commendation from the Sheriff’s Department," his uncle Mike Clear wrote. "Besides Michael being family, I, too, was an officer of the law, and I know how we First Responders turnout to help our brothers and sisters in a time of need, so please come through for this man – first responder or not."

"Michael is truly one of the nicest guys I have had the pleasure to meet in my life," Clear said. "He is a loving and dedicated husband to his wife, Sara, who is a teacher in the Carmel School District."

He is also the proud and loving father to three children – Samuel, Gemma and Mason.

Schmidt is a lifelong community member who volunteers as a coach for youth baseball and football. Some of his joys are camping with his family, playing sports and coaching the kids, working with the seniors and youth in the county, and hiking with his dogs.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer related to lymphoma and leukemia.

Schmidt has undergone aggressive treatments of one to three daily chemotherapy sessions to suppress the cancer in preparation for an upcoming bone marrow transplant.

Donated money will be used to offset the costs of large medical bills, daily/weekly doctor visits, co-payments of doctor visits and medications and extended stays in New York City. Additional details and family photos can be found on the GoFundMe page.